Motion-picture apparatus.



l. F.'PECK.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. n. 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1. F. PECK.

' MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION mw' MAR. H. 1916.

1,255,044. v Patented Jan. 29,1918.

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MOTION-PICTURE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2'9, 1918.

Application filed March 11, 1916. Serial No. 83,541.

of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved device for automatically arresting movement of the parts of a motion picture apparatus, in the event ofthe breaking of the film from any cause, and for automatically extinguishing flames and protecting the major portion of the film, in case of ignition thereof.

One of the objects of the invention is to picture apparatus, and provided with means whereby the same ma be overned, in its action, by the film. furt er object is 'to provide a device for automatically clamping the film, to prevent movement thereof should the film break, and to automatically extinguish any flame in case the film becomes ignited. A further object is to provide an automatic clamping device of the character mentioned which is controlled in its movement by the automatic control device above referred to.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims. 7

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the clamping device. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the control device.

Referring to the drawing, a motion picture apparatus is conventionally shown, provided with the upper reel box 10, and film guide-11, having spaced apart walls and provided with uide rolls 12, the film being caused to trave through the guide by any well known sprocket'mechanism, operated by an electric motor 13, connected with any suitable source of power.

Located within the film guide 11 is a clamp '14, provided with flanges 15 extended through slots 16, in one wall of said guide, the side edges of said clampbeing provided with guide flanges 17, overlapping the, edges of the guide. Attached to said clamp, and extending through one wall of the guide, is a rod 18 which also extends through the casing, and is provided with an armature 19, located adjacent an electromagnet 20 of any preferred construction. A spring 21, encircling the rod 18, and interposed between the casing and the guide, acts to hold the clamp 14 normally against the opposite wall of the guide, said clamp being withdrawn, against the tension of said spring, by said magnet, when energized.

A controlling device 22 is provided for controlling the current to the motor 13,'and the magnet 20. Said control device comprises a support to which are attached con,- tact plates 22, suitably insulated, provided with binding posts or terminal clips 23, and with contact members 24, preferably in the form of rod-like projections extending toward each other. Pivotally mounted upon said support is a lever 25, provided with a bridge member 26, concaved on its underside, to engage the contact members 24, to close the circuit across the gap formed by said members. The bridge member 26 is normally held out of contact with the m'embers 24, by a sprin 27 bearing against the lever 25. The bri ge member 26 is located atone end of the lever 25, and to'the other end of said lever is pivotally attached a yoke 28, carrying a roller 29, said yoke and roller comprisin a detector member arranged to engage t e film. Suitable wiring, not shown, connects the magnet 20 in series with the contact plates 22, and the electric motor 13 is likewise connected.

In operation, when the film has been passed through the guide 11' and connected with the sprocket mechanism, the roller 29, is engaged with. the film,-being so positioned that the tension of the film will hold the lever 25 in position to maintain the bridge member 26 in contact with the members 24, thereby permitting current to fiow to the I motor 13 and magnet 20. Just as soon as the magnet 20 is energized, it attracts the armature 19, moving the clamp 14 away from the film, and permitting the latter to travel freely when the motor is energized. Should the film break from anycause, or should it become ignited, the support for the detector member is withdrawn, whereupon the spring 27 will move the lever 25, in a direction to disengage the bridge member 26 from the contact members 24. The instant that the circuit is broken by said bridge member, the magnet 20 is denergized, and the spring 2?. will force the clamp member 14 against the film, not only arresting the film, but also smothering any flames that may be working into the film guide. At the same instant the current to the motor is cut off and the mechanism comes to rest, and cannot again be started until the circuitvcan be closed by the bridge member 26.

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what I claim is 1. An improvement in motion pictpre apparatus comprising electrically operated film feeding mechanism, a pivoted arm, a film engaging detector carried by one end of sald arm, a contact barsecured between its ends to the other end of said arm, stationary contacts operating with said bar, and means acting on the contact end of said arm to normall hold the contact bar out of engagement wlth the stationary contacts.

2. An improvement in motion picture ap* paratus comprising electrically operated film feeding mechanism, a pivoted arm, a yoke pivotally attached to one end of said arm and carrying a detector device, a contact bar secured between its ends to the other end of said arm, stationary contacts operating with said bar, and means acting on the contact'end of said arm to normally hold the contact bar out of engagement with the stationary contacts.

3. An improvement in motion picture apparatus comprising electrically operated film feeding mechanism, apivoted arm, a film engaging detector carried by one end of said arm, a contact bar secured between its ends to the other end of said arm, and provided with a concave face, rod-like contacts positioned to be bridged by said contact bar, and means acting on the contact end of said arm to normally hold the contact bar out of engagement with the stationary contacts.

4:. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, film feeding mechanism, a con trolling device for said mechanism, means controlled by the film for maintaining said controlling device in a normally operative position, a film guide having spaced apart walls, a fire extmguishing member guided by one of said walls and having means for clamping the film between said walls, and

means governed by said controlling device for normally'holding said fire-extinguishing member out of engagement with the film.

5. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, electrically operated film feeding mechanism, a circuit controlling device for said mechanism, means controlled by the film for maintaining said colitrolling device in a normally operative position, and filmclamping fireextinguishing means governed by said controlling device.

move said plate 6. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, electrically operated film feeding mechanism, spaced apart contacts in the circuit controlling the same, a bridge membr for bridging said contacts, means acting to move said bridge member to circuit closing breaking position, a detector member for engaging the film to normally hold said bridge member in engagement with said contacts, film clamping fire-extinguishing means, and means in circuit with said contacts for controlling said film clamping means.

7. As an improvement in motion pictureapparatus, a film guide having spaced apart parallel or stationary walls, a flame extinguishing member located between and parallel with said walls, andfilm engaging means for controlling said member.

8. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film clampingdevice located Within said guide, and having guiding m'eans engaging one wall of the guide, and means governed by the film for normally holding said clamping device out of engagement with said film.

9. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire-extinguishing plate located therein, a spring acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, and means for moving and holding said plate normally out of engagement with the film.

10. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire-extinguishing plate located therein, a spring acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, an electromagnet for holding said plate normally out of engagement with the film, and means for controlling said magnet.

11. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, means for clamping the film to prevent flames from passing through the guide if the film becomes ignited, an electromagnet governed by the film for normally holding said clamping means out of engagement therewith, and means for automatically controlling said magnet.

12. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire extinguishing plate located therein, a spring acting to into engagement with the film, an automatically operated actuator for moylng said plate in opposition to said spring, means governed by the film for controlling the actuator, and means for guiding said plate.

13. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire-extingnishing plate located therein, a spring acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, an armature attached to said plate, means for guiding said plate, a magnet, and means for automatically controlling said magnet.

14. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire extinguishing plate located in said guide and positioned to engage the film, said plate having oppositely extending side flanges overlapping the edges of the walls of said guide, and means governed by the film for controlling said plate.

15. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide, a fire-extinguishing plate located in said uide and positioned to engage the film, said plate having side flanges overlapping the edges of the Walls of said guide, a spring acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, and

- means for holding said plate normally out of engagement With the film.

16. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide having slots in one wall, a fire-extinguishing plate having guide flanges extended through said slots, means acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, and means for holding said plate normally out of engagement with the 17. As an improvement in motion picture apparatus, a film guide having slots in one wall, a fire extinguishing plate having guide flanges extended through said slots, and also having side flanges overlapping the edges'of the walls of said guide, means acting to move said plate into engagement with the film, and means for holding said plate normally out of engagement with the film.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

' IRA F. PECK. 

